King Edward VII's Personal Cigarette Case, Silver, Red & Blue Enamel and Gold

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King Edward VII's Personal Cigarette Case, Silver, Red & Blue Enamel and Gold

About the Item

A stunning Edwardian cigarette case, formerly the property of HRH King Edward VII. Made by Alexander Clarke of 33 New Bond Street in 1904. With sumptuous royal red and royal navy blue guilloche enamel design, decorative gold striping and bearing the King's signature: "Edward R I" also in gold. The signature including "R I" for "Rex" "Imperator" meaning "King" and "Emperor" is quite an unusual signature to find. Perfectly executed throughout, the sprung hinge and closing mechanism in fantastic as new condition. Lacking internal elastic which would have held the cigarettes in place. This item was gifted, in 1905, to King Edward VII's very good friend and hunting weekend host, Sir John Savile Lumley-Savile. An extremely tactile and unique piece with fantastic Royal provenance. The interior gilding is still extremely bright, with sharp and crisp hallmarks. The push button works perfectly and the sprung hinge works as well as the first day it was made! The King himself was a very well regarded chap. He'd eat and drink most everything that you'd put in front of him. Reports suggest he would smoke 12 cigars a day and approximately 20 cigarettes, as well as liberal amounts of alcohol at meal times. It's also said that he was extremely popular across Europe and with his Royal cousins, and that had he lived longer, he may have had a chance to have words to prevent World War 1. Maybe fanciful, but who knows? It's quite a thing to hold something this personal to a Monarch and the quality of the piece is all that you'd hope for. Simply a cracking piece. Alas! The interior elastic bands are missing. They could be replaced, but I've decided that the case should remain as is. However, if ever I get to a similar age and all that's wrong with me is that I'm missing two pieces of elastic, I'm sure I'd be extremely happy with that! There's the typical very minor surface scratching to the silver which you'd expect with an item that was in daily use, but the enamel is perfect! Collection or viewing is possible in our store on Sydney Street in Chelsea, London.

Creator:
Alexander Clark & Co. (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 0.5 in (1.27 cm)Width: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)Depth: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)
Style:
Edwardian (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Enamel,Gold,Silver
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
1900-1909
Date of Manufacture:
1904
Condition:
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU194539115161